The Legendary Virgin Güi Güi Beach

Yes, there is still an untouched part of the shoreline with one of the most beautiful ocean views in all Gran Canaria. The beach is difficult to reach, so it's a perfect place for those who want to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Playa Güigüi also offers fantastic hiking trails through deserted mountains with rare palm trees that you can only find on these islands. Playa Güigüi is also one of the most important parts of the Biosphere Reserve of Gran Canaria.

The beach belongs to La Aldea de San Nicolás municipality and has been declared "Special Nature Reserve and Area of Ecological Sensitivity" because of its special characteristics. A kilometer of wild sand like no other. Gran Canaria still conserves part of that virgin coastline, far from the urban barbarities perpetrated in other areas of the island, and which transports us to a dream place, a hidden corner where we simply lose track of time. This is the Güi Güi beach. Haven't you heard of it? Probably yes. Well, it is because this is one of the most beautiful beaches in Gran Canaria but, fortunately, still quite unknown. Do you want to know what awaits you on the Güi Güi beach, how to get there and everything you need to know to organize an excursion? If so this article is for you.

The beach name is Güi Güi but you will see it written in different ways: Playa Güigüi, Guigui, Guguy or Güy-güy. After investigating a little, it is still to say with one hundred percent of certainty what its official name is but most probably is Güi Güi. The legend say that the name Güi Güi sticked when one French visitor kept saying "Oui, oui, oui..." in his awe of the beauty of the beach. If you want to write phonetically the French word oui in Spanish you will get it as güi. Is this true? Who knows? But really it is not that important. This name is unmistakable.

The beach is located on the west side of the island of Gran Canaria and it can be difficult to get there since you cannot drive to it, but if you're willing for a walk then Tasartico will be your closest location where you can park the car or the motorbike.

How to get to Güi Güi beach - all the options

They say that to get to paradise you have to suffer. Well I tell you not necessarily. We have two options. Both recommended and both with a happy ending - the virgin Güi Güi beach. Which on you choose may depend on how much time you want to dedicate to the trip, if you like to walk a lot, your physical form and expectations.

Güi Güi beach: how to get there by boat

We already anticipated it at the beginning. If you do not see yourself in good physical shape or with the necessary strength to face this hiking route, you have another option by sea. It can be a good idea to look for a small boat or organized boat excursion that allows you to access Guigui beach directly by the sea and enjoy this little piece of paradise without breaking a sweat.

In this sense, you also have two alternatives: either ask for prices and schedules of a water taxi or book a fully organized excursion. Taxi boats can be taken from Tasarte, La Aldea de San Nicolas, Puerto Rico or Puerto de Mogán. There is no official taxi boat service though and finding it may be challenging especially if you don't speak Spanish. On this page we try to gather all the information about transport options available to you. In the mentioned above location, if you are lucky and find somebody who di[o it, they probably will be able to inform you about prices, departure days and schedules. You should bear in mind that, depending on the season, they may not run on daily basis. Be also aware that many local people can not speak English or their English is limited. If you expect detailed information and guidance in English you probably would be better buying organized trip.

Regarding the organized tours and trips, some of them also take the opportunity to navigate the Canarian waters in search of dolphins and whales and to discover and observe a good part of the west coast of Gran Canaria from the sea. Of course, you always have to take into account the circumstances of the sea. On days with the heaviest waves, the boat may not be able to dock on the beach and they may have to consider alternatives.

There is also one important aspect of going to the GuiGui by boat - there is no port of any kind there. The boats can not moor to any quay. You will have to get into the water to reach the shore. The water is not very deep and the boats usually are able to come quite closely to the shore but nevertheless you have to be prepared to swim if the ocean wave came and lifts you up. We do not recommend this trips to the small children, elderly persons, persons with discapacities and those who are afraid of water and can not swim.

Playa Güigüi: how to get there on foot

This is the alternative that requires the most physical effort, but also the most complete in terms of landscapes, nature, sustainable and the one that allows you to enjoy the sun and this little paradise for as long as you want - you can spend the night on the beach if you want to. First you have to drive to the small village of Tasartico and park your car there. A remote little place located an hour and a half drive from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria or an hour from Maspalomas.

Beyond the main nucleus of houses we find a small parking lot and the beginning of the path. A well-marked hiking trail of just 5 kilometers . One way, that is. But don't claim victory so fast. They are 5 kilometers of constant ascents and descents and a strong unevenness between volcanic, arid landscapes and lack of shade where to take shelter. Approximately 2 and a half hours of walking to get there, and as many to return. Be aware that the walk can take longer. In other words, it becomes a full-day excursion that requires some serious effort. Put on some sun protection (we would advise at least factor 50 sun lotion or even higher), wear a hat, take a lot of water to drink and some snacks to eat.

Hiking route to Güi Güi beach

If in the end you have decided to do the walking route to Güi Güi beach, we can only congratulate you. This is a great idea. You are going to enjoy a wonderful trip. Sometimes the walk is hard because of the slopes but really rewarding.

It is very important to get up as early as possible and bring several bottles of water.

Walking the mountains by night is really dangerous even with the torch. Remember that this is a remote location with no mobile cover. If it happen that you stayed too long and the night is coming maybe you should stay on the beach until the next day. If you consider staying for the night in GuiGui be aware that nights in Gran Canaria can be quite cold. Especially in comparison to the hot sunny days. So you better take some warm clothes with you because spending the night in t-shirt and shorts can be a bit unpleasant.

During most of the tour you will be completely exposed to the sun. So the ideal is that you park your car at the beginning of the trail around 8:00 in the morning. Remember that, beyond the village itself, an unpaved track begins that leads to the Tasartico campsite. Before reaching the campsite, less than a kilometer from the village, there is a small parking lot and the signs for the beginning of the path.

The track is not easy from the beginning. You have to climb a fairly high mountain to the Degollada de Aguas Sabinas, and the ascent does not seem to give respite for the first kilometer and a half until reaching 546 meters of altitude. But you will be rewarded by the incredible views of the Güi Güi massif from the highest point of this hiking route.

From here, the path turns into an long descent between landscapes that seem taken out of any American Western movie. They say that sometimes the road is as beautiful as the destination itself. And this description perfectly describe the walk to Playa Güigüi. Cliffs of a hundreds colors with truly whimsical shapes, tall cacti and strange native plants. A true wonder! Of course, we hope you have brought good shoes because you will need them for the ascent and descent. There are very steep areas with a lot of loose and quite sharp stones and rocks.

Towards the end of the route, when we can almost feel the triumph of having completed the path, we will find a small house that serves as a bar. A very rudimentary bar whose presence is greatly appreciated. You can't imagine how good a cold beer or soft drink tastes before tackling the last stage. But planning your trip do not count on this bar as it can be closed.

Remember that Güigüi beach does not have any lifeguard service or shops or restaurants. What's more there is no mobile network coverage there. It is a completely virgin beach in every way and with very low occupancy. There are people who take the opportunity to camp on the beach and return to civilization the next day.

Finally on the Gui Gui beach

When you already passed the last palm trees and you are walking on the fine, dark sand of Güi Güi beach you can enjoy this moment and find your place in this immense landscape.

In reality, the beach is divided into two extensive parts (playas), Güigüi grande and Güigüi chico, joined at high tide and completely surrounded by high volcanic cliffs.

In addition, on the clear days with no dust in the air which we call here "calima", you will be able see the silhouette of Teide and the neighboring island of Tenerife. There are days when you can see in really good and with great details. A picture of extreme beauty to enjoy several hours of relaxation and bathing in the sea. The other days can be a bit worse and only the silhouette can be seen or nothing at all.

The best thing is that the water next to the shore is completely crystalline. Perfect for a good snorkeling session or simply long swim to defuse the heat.

More information about Playa GuiGui

This protected area is made up of very old materials and is part of the old shield volcano that originated the Island. Its entire landscape is very eroded and furrowed by numerous ravines that rise and flow within the Reserve, some of its walls reaching more than 1,000 m in height in a short distance.

The peculiar orography of embedded and ancient ravines constitutes a representative formation of the insular geology, which in Güigüí configures a landscape of great beauty, with a coastal profile practically cliff, where there are only some beaches of pebbles and sand accumulated at the mouths of the ravines.

The reserve houses an interesting sample of cardonal-tabaibal and important remains of thermophilic forests. Among the flora, there are some endangered endemisms whose populations are completely distributed throughout the interior of the reserve, with some exclusive species such as the cabezón.

As for the fauna, several threatened species of birds nest on the coastal cliffs. From a cultural point of view, the existence of archaeological sites in the vicinity of the Hogarzales mountain is noteworthy. One of the last battles between Spanish conquerors and native Canaries took place here.